Two people lost their lives in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday in Salado, Texas, as reported by the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m., with officials responding to multiple 911 calls. Salado is situated approximately 50 miles north of Austin.
The AH-64 U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter, affiliated with Fort Hood, was involved in the crash. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, emphasized the priority on securing the crash site and supporting initial response efforts. ‘Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information,’ he stated.
The victims have not yet been identified publicly. According to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, no structures were damaged, and no other injuries were reported. The crash site, located in a field, was described by Cliff Coleman from the Sheriff’s Office as having experienced significant impact.
‘It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,’ Coleman shared with reporters at the scene. The crash ignited a large fire that appeared unmanageable, resulting in extensive land burn and prompting evacuations in the vicinity.
Local emergency responders, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies quickly attended to the crash. The criminal investigation division at Fort Hood is leading the investigation.
The AH-64 Apache helicopter is noted for its twin-engine, four-bladed configuration. Designed as a multi-mission attack helicopter, it functions as a stable aerial weapons delivery platform. The Army describes it as ‘the most advanced aerial fighting vehicle in the world.’